The Fujifilm X20 is the new serious compact from Fujifilm - and comes with over 50 updates since the Fujifilm X10, available in silver and black as well as all black. The Fujifilm X20 has an RRP of £499, and features a new sensor, improved phase detection focus, and updated image processing for sharper images.

Fujifilm X20 Features

Like the X10 before it, it features the same metal body and design, although is now available in black and silver, as well as all black. The lens features a manual zoom ring around the lens, which is also used to switch the camera on and off. A hybrid optical viewfinder gives an optical view with an electronic overlay.

The sensor used in the X20 uses the same colour filter array as introduced with the X-Pro1 which is designed to give better noise performance, and also allows the removal of the anti-aliasing filter, which is said to give better detail, over the previous sensor used in the X10. The sensor designed to be better in low-light and show less noise. DR options go to 400% in this model.

Technology implemented in the X20 is designed to reduce the effects of diffraction and aberration when using smaller apertures, which should result in sharper pictures, and overall Fujifilm has detailed over 50 improvements in the X20 compared to the X10. The Fujifilm X20 gives a lot of the look and feel of the Fujifilm X100s at nearly half the price.

Key Features

12megapixel 2/3inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor

4x optical zoom lens, f/2.0-f/2.8, 28-112mm equivalent

Optical image stabilisation

2.8inch screen, 460k dot

Advanced optical viewfinder with 'real time' shooting data display

Full HD, 60fps video, with phase detection AF

12fps continuous shooting

49 Points Selectable AF

Manual modes, 14-bit RAW

In camera RAW converter

Manual focus with focus peaking

ISO100 - ISO12800

1cm super macro mode

Advanced Filters, 360 panoramic

Available in black or black and silver

Fujifilm X20 Handling

Handling - The Fujifilm X20 is designed to re-create the feel and look of a traditional camera with a compact body, built in optical viewfinder, and classic shutter release button with screw thread. In use the camera has a very rapid shutter response and feels like an ideal travel or street shooter camera with a very quiet shutter sound. Build quality is excellent with a solid metal body and a rubber grip on the rear for your thumb, as well as a rubber surround for the optical viewfinder which features eye-detection. The front of the camera features a hard textured grip, and the texture around the metal zoom ring gives the camera excellent grip when holding it with two hands.

On top of the camera is an exposure compensation dial, which lets you quickly adjust the exposure, although it’s all too easy to forget that you’ve changed it and leave it set by accident. There is also a new Q. menu button which gives quick access to a number of settings on the rear screen, with the Fujifilm menus providing more advanced photo and setup options, neatly arranged into colour coded sections (much improved over the X10 menus). A pop-up flash is activated by using a manual switch on the back, and is closed by simply pushing it back in. Using the Fujifilm X20 in bright sunlight can be difficult with the screen becoming difficult to see – luckily there is a bright sunlight mode that can be switched on to increase the brightness and contrast of the screen which helps slightly, but in the brightest conditions it’s worth using the optical viewfinder. The optical viewfinder gives 85% coverage, and at the widest setting the lens is visible. The viewfinder has an electronic overlay that tells you the focus point, shutter and aperture speeds, and changes colour depending whether focus lock has been successful.

Battery life - Battery performance is rated at 270 shots according to Fujifilm / CIPA testing, which is average, but can be extended to 700 shots when you disable the rear screen / eye detection sensor, enable power save mode, and simply use the optical viewfinder.

Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

*Quick start on. Focus was quick, but we were not able to achieve the same high speeds as Fujifilm claimed, and we found the X10 quicker. Although we nearly got the same speeds for other timings, "0.06 seconds AF, approx. 0.5 second start-up time and a 0.5 second shooting interval, shutter lag 0.01sec".

Fujifilm X20 Performance

Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Fujifilm X20 Sample Photos

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Sample Photos - Exposure is reliable with the camera consistently producing bright saturated images with good levels of detail. Colour is good and the flash performs quite well with a good mix between the subject and background detail, giving natural look results, although the flash does appear quite weak.

Fujifilm X20 Lens test images

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Lens Performance - There are improvements in detail over the X10 as suggested, as long as ISO is kept low, where the X10 showed moire in fine detail, the X20 shows the detail without moire. Dynamic range is good, with the camera offering a number of ways to expand the amount captured, with an option for up to 400% DR. Macro performance is excellent with the camera letting you focus with the subject as close as 1cm from the front of the lens, giving excellent results. Purple fringing and chromatic aberrations are low, and there is very little lens distortion visible.

Fujifilm X20 ISO test images

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ISO Noise Performance - ISO performance is good at the lowest ISO setting of ISO100 and detail is also good until you reach ISO800 where fine details can be lost. Images are sharp even at ISO1600, and noise becomes more noticeable at ISO3200. ISO6400 and ISO12800 images aren't resized as they were on the previous model, however noise is quite strong so these settings are best avoided.

Fujifilm X20 White-balance test images

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White Balance Performance - Auto white balance (AWB) performance is good under tungsten lighting with a warm result, with the tungsten preset giving more natural results. AWB performs well under fluorescent lighting, with the fluorescent preset giving a colour cast to the image.

Fujifilm X20 Other sample images

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Fujifilm X20 Digital filters

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Digital Filters - There are a number of film simulation modes, dynamic range options (100% - 400%), as well as effects, including Toy camera, Miniature, pro low-light mode, pro-focus mode, multiple exposures, and more. There are a number of bracketing options available including DR and Film Simulation bracketing, as well as ISO bracketing. RAW processing is built in and can be used in playback mode. Although the RAW file is not saved or available as an options with a number of these modes, or the scene modes.

Video - Video quality is impressive, recording full HD video, at 60fps, giving smooth results, although with a manual zoom ring, getting a smooth zoom can be difficult. An optional stereo microphone can be attached through the multiUSB port.

Value For Money

The Fujifilm X20 is up against a number of competitors, with nearly all manufacturers having a camera or even two models available in the “serious compact” market. As the Fujifilm X20 features a flash hot-shoe, here are the nearest competitors with flash hot-shoe:

The Fujifilm X20 is available for £465 – which prices it quite noticeably higher than the other models listed above, and you would expect the camera to come with a 2 year warranty at this price (however it doesn’t). For more suggestions, have a look at our Top 10 Best Serious Compact Cameras.

Fujifilm X20 Verdict

The Fujifilm X20 may look the same as the X10 on the outside, but the insides where all the technology lives has been significantly upgraded, replaced and re-worked, with the camera delivering better than ever image quality and improved continuous shooting speed. The camera delivers sharp, detailed images with bright saturated colours typical of Fujifilm, as well as good noise performance.

Also, like the X10, the Fujifilm X20 has been introduced with a high RRP of £499, although this is less than the £529 RRP of the X10 when it was first launched. This is partly justified by the unique build quality and design of the camera, as well as it being one of very few compact cameras with a built in optical viewfinder. The price does make it an investment, being priced higher than a number of mirrorless and Digital SLRs, and we feel that it should include a 2 year warranty for peace of mind, although we can’t see any problems with the build quality.

The Fujifilm X20 delivers high image quality, unique handling and features, as well as an optical viewfinder, in a well built and stylish camera, with full manual controls, raw shooting and flash hot shoe. If these are features you’re looking for, and have the money to invest, then the Fujifilm X20 comes highly recommended.

Comments

Excellent review of an excellent camera, I have the X-10, so it was especially interesting to see what improvements have been made. Lots as far as I can see and all for the better. However, it will need to drop in price to make it a worth while up grade. A couple of other review sites said the X-10 Jpegs were still better.
I'm also interested to see if an X-S2 is round the corner.

Excellent review of an excellent camera, I have the X-10, so it was especially interesting to see what improvements have been made. Lots as far as I can see and all for the better. However, it will need to drop in price to make it a worth while up grade. A couple of other review sites said the X-10 Jpegs were still better.
I'm also interested to see if an X-S2 is round the corner.

Raw not available in some modes, its that really a con.
I`m still happy with my x10, and don`t yet really feel the urge to upgrade, I`ll wait until it brakes :)
The price is pretty good, and its cheaper than the x10 at launch :(
One area that seems to be lacking in reviews of compacts of this level is with the flash and leaf shutters, its a major plus in camera like this, all reviews from all sites seem to miss out on talking about these features, being able to sync flash at all shutter speeds is a really useful advantage.
The in built flash performs well in macro mode as well (though its disabled in super macro mode for obvious reasons)
All in a good review.

Raw not available in some modes, its that really a con.

I`m still happy with my x10, and don`t yet really feel the urge to upgrade, I`ll wait until it brakes

The price is pretty good, and its cheaper than the x10 at launch

One area that seems to be lacking in reviews of compacts of this level is with the flash and leaf shutters, its a major plus in camera like this, all reviews from all sites seem to miss out on talking about these features, being able to sync flash at all shutter speeds is a really useful advantage.

The in built flash performs well in macro mode as well (though its disabled in super macro mode for obvious reasons)

Fuji's RAF (RAW) files don't seem to be supported by Windows viewers but work perfectly well with packages like Adobe Lightroom. The camera does NOT come with a printed manual, but a CD instead (shame). It is built like a brick sheizen-hausen (however that may be spelt) and you can feel the build quality as soon as you pick it up.
I had reservations at first, mostly because of the apparent lack of RAF support but I've got over it now having bought Lightroom.
It's a camera you just want to hold.
It comes with a neck strap but I shall be replacing that with a wrist strap as the neck strap just makes the camera seem unwieldy.
I have much to try out yet but initial impressions are good. The clincher for me was the optical viewfinder. It's not great but at least it's there, unlike the stupidly expensive OVF extra of the Nikon Coolpix A and the Ricoh GR (yes I know they have big sensors but hey ho).

Fuji's RAF (RAW) files don't seem to be supported by Windows viewers but work perfectly well with packages like Adobe Lightroom. The camera does NOT come with a printed manual, but a CD instead (shame). It is built like a brick sheizen-hausen (however that may be spelt) and you can feel the build quality as soon as you pick it up.

I had reservations at first, mostly because of the apparent lack of RAF support but I've got over it now having bought Lightroom.

It's a camera you just want to hold.

It comes with a neck strap but I shall be replacing that with a wrist strap as the neck strap just makes the camera seem unwieldy.

I have much to try out yet but initial impressions are good. The clincher for me was the optical viewfinder. It's not great but at least it's there, unlike the stupidly expensive OVF extra of the Nikon Coolpix A and the Ricoh GR (yes I know they have big sensors but hey ho).